This course examines the behaviour, ecology and conservation of living non-human primates. Primates include monkeys, apes, and strepsirhines, as well people. Understanding non-human primates helps us to evaluate and understand the behaviour, culture, language, and biology of our own species, as well as to give us valuable information that is necessary for the conservation of non-human primates, the majority of which are now threatened. Lectures cover a variety of topics including: morphology and distinguishing characteristics of each group of living primates; social organisation, mating, activity and diet as well as community ecology. Once lectures are complete, tutorial work will be done through the collection of behavioural data on primate groups at the National Zoo and Aquarium (NZA). Students will be trained in data collection and assigned a species of primate on which to collect behavioural data. This data will then be used to answer a research question based in one of the theories learned in lecture. Finally, theory and data will be put in the context of primate conservation and how we best conserve the world’s primates. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. summarise the behavioural and ecological characteristics of selected non-human primate species;
2. use appropriate behavioural observation techniques to record the behaviour of living non-human primates;
3. put behavioural data in the context of existing primatological and conservation theory to address a research problem;
4. combine information from a variety of academic resources covering foundational theories, species biology and conservation to explain a current research problem that needs addressing; and
5. succinctly present research results in an oral formats.

Field Trips

Primate Behaviour data to be collected at the NZA in weeks 9 and 10 of course

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and primate pattern
2	social groups and life course	Data collection worksheet 1
3	Community Ecology and Cognition	Data collection worksheet 2
4	Male Reproductive Strategies	Data collection worksheet 3
5	Female Reproductive Strategies
6	Quiz; Data collection review	Quiz in class
7	BREAK
8	BREAK
9	Data analysis part 1
10	Data analysis part 2
11	Primate Conservation part 1	Data analysis worksheet 1
12	Primate Conservation part 2	Data analysis worksheet 2
13	Zoo based Research part 1	zoo presentation
14	Zoo Based Research part 2

Tutorial Registration

on wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Quiz	20 %	1
Data collection assignment	20 %	2,3
Data analysis assignment	20 %	2,3
Zoo presentation	30 %	1,2,3,4
Research Proposal	10 %	5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz

There will be one test held during semester (20% each). This test will be held during lecture and will consist of short answer questions. All tests are based on lecture notes (posted material as well as additional information given during class), readings and videos as well as any guest lectures. 

Assessment Task 2

Data collection assignment

This will include three short assignments done in tutorial prior to collection of data at the NZA and a larger one to be submitted half way through data collection. The first two are designed to both get you to understand the difference between data collection methods as well as how to collect this data. The third, larger assignment, will involve submitting some of your collected data for assessment to ensure data collection is being carried out according to standard rules. This will help to improve your data collection and help you think through how to improve collection methods and techniques.

Assessment Task 3

Data analysis assignment

As with the data collection assignments this will involve three short in class assignments and a larger one based on data collected at the NZA. The first two will get you to practice the calculation of diet and activity budgets using an existing data set. The final one will have you calculate a total of two time budgets (to be determined based on the species on which you collect data and your specific research question) using two different data collection methods and comparing the results.

Assessment Task 4

Zoo presentation

students will each to a 5 minute presentation on a future research question they would answer using the methods learned in this course.

Assessment Task 5

Research Proposal

This research proposal is designed to highlight your understanding of the methods taught in this course. While at the NZA you will come up with a research question that you could answer if you returned to the zoo to collect data over a longer period of 6 – 12 months to collect data on one of the available primate species.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students